Tag: Real Techniques

I hope everyone has been enjoying the holiday season! It’s been amazing relaxing at home, visiting family, binging on movies and netflix, cooking some good homemade meals…

In all honesty, 2016 was not my best year yet. There was a lot of stress, let-downs, and very annoying situations. I’m sure you can relate right? Although 2016 may not have been the best for some of us, we must remember the good things it brought. In my case, I worked very hard in school and am only 4 months away from achieving my goal of becoming an engineer! I bought my first car – hello freedom from public transit! My relationship with my boyfriend is headed in exciting directions! This past summer we also introduced a cute little girl kitty into our home! There’s so much more. These are the memories which I would like to take with me into 2017. The past is in the past… that’s right 2016 we’re done here. Hello 2017!

But before going into the new year, I’ve decided to put together my ‘2016 favorites’ list. These have been my go-to products throughout the year.

I recently wrote a review about the Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara. I love this mascara. The wand is great. It stays put during the day and keeps the curl. The packaging is super cute as well!

High-End Foundation

My favorite high-end foundation has been the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation. I’m in the shade 115- R230. I was not sure about this one when I picked it up earlier on in the year, but fell in love with it again in the fall.

Drugstore Foundation

The CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous foundation is my favorite drugstore foundation of 2016. It works perfectly with my dry/combination skin. This summer I worked in a hot and humid warehouse environment. This foundation would last all day and remained lightweight on my skin. I am, of course, the lightest shade possible #105 classic ivory.

Concealer

I love the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I like to use a concealer that is lighter than my normal skin tone. I use the lightest shade possible – chantilly, which is maybe even too light honestly… Either way, it stays put for most of the day and is great at covering up blemishes. I have very translucent pale skin and hereditary under-eye circles. It does not do much to cover them up in my case. Either way I can’t get over this concealer. I love the sponge-tip applicator and it’s creamy texture which makes it easy to blend.

Blush, Bronzer, Highlight

This year was not a huge blush and bronzer year for me. Reflecting back now, I think this was a result of dropping my Annabelle Biggy Bronzer (the best!) and makeup brushes in the bathroom. The brushes broke and the bronzer fell into the toilet! Yes, it was a devastating moment and it was summer and I was getting a little color on my face anyways. I procrastinated buying a new bronzer and getting new brushes. I eventually picked up the Maybelline Master Contour Kit in light. It has a nice bronzer, blush, and highlight all in one pallet making it easy to pack and travel with.

Makeup Brushes and Tools

I always use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for applying liquid foundation. The brush is super soft and dense, it doesn’t streak, and it makes my makeup look natural and well-blended! I clean this brush all the time and it hasn’t affected the quality or shedded.

I have also been loving the Beautyblender micro.mini. As you can tell from the makeup stains, I use the pointed tip to blend the corners of my eyes and nose.

Facial Moisturizer and Oil

I love Kiehl’s skincare products. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is great for the colder months when my skin starts drying up and flaking. It feels so lightweight and absorbs into the skin instantly! When my skin feels really dry and dull I like to use the Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate which smells awesome and brings some life to my skin.

Makeup Remover

This is my second purchase of the Marcelle Oil Free Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion. I use this mostly to remove mascara residue after my evening shower. For me, a small amount on a damp facecloth does the job. Although I found it pretty expensive for a makeup remover, if you catch this one on sale its worth it. A whole bottle lasted me one year! I could never go back to oily makeup removers.

Shampoo & Conditioner

During my last haircut I decided to splurge on a shampoo and conditioner at the register. The Redken All-Soft shampoo and condition is my favorite shampoo yet. It smells amazing and makes your hair super soft!

Nail Polish

I love L’Oreal nail polishes. They are so easy to apply and have a great shade selection. Haute couture red#470 (left) is a deep redish-purple color that is just perfect for the fall and winter months in my opinion. Red tote #460 (middle) is a classic ruby red shade that I wore throughout fall and winter as well. Yacht party #738 (right) is just a creamy white shade which is perfect for summer months.

Lip Product

The NYX butter gloss in crème brûlée is my favorite everyday lip product. The shade works perfect for me and is kind of a ‘my lips but better’ product. I have talked about the Buxom Full-On Lip Stick in Amsterdam before. I love the formulation of this product and the ease of application.

Hand Cream

I’ve been using the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter mostly on my hands as they get super dry this time of year. This moisturizer is great! Its very creamy, smells nice, and absorbs into the skin very quick!

What are you 2016 favorites? What products worked and what didn’t? Leave a comment below or a link to your blog – I love reading about these things!